How to cure Iodine deficiency goitre?
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A 24-year-old woman originally from Brazil presented with goiter. She was allergic to shellfish and did not use iodized salt by choice. Her family history showed her aunt had hyperthyroidism. A physical exam showed a BMI of 27 kg/m2 and a palpable thyroid. She had a normal thyroid-function test (TSH, 0.78 μU/mL) and was negative for thyroid peroxidase antibody. An iodine-uptake scan showed a 24-hour uptake of 37%, and a thyroid sonogram showed a diffuse goiter. These findings, together with a history of avoidance of iodized salt and seafood, raised the suspicion of iodine deficiency. Her 24-hour urine iodine level was <10 μg. The patient was advised to take iodized salt and a multivitamin containing iodine. A thyroid sonogram obtained 11 months later showed that the thyroid volume decreased by 34.5%, from 26.41 to 17.29 cm3
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@ajmal A goiter only needs to be treated if it is causing symptoms. Treatments for an enlarged thyroid include:
Thyroid hormone replacement pills if the goiter is due to an underactive thyroid
Small doses of Lugol's iodine or potassium iodine solution if the goiter is due to a lack of iodine
Radioactive iodine to shrink the gland if the thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone
Surgery (thyroidectomy) to remove all or part of the gland